Turnovers Haunt KWU in Loss at Central Christian

KSAL Sports - November 26, 2013 5:55 am

McPHERSON – The Central Christian College Tigers would capitalize on 17 Kansas Wesleyan turnovers, turning them into 18 points as the Tigers held off the Coyotes 82-65 on Monday night at Alexander Arena in the Ed Pyle Sports Complex.

Outside of the turnovers, the Coyotes played a great game against the Tigers.

“I can’t fault our team’s effort one bit,” Wesleyan coach Chris Fear said. “We came out and played hard and never gave up, just the turnovers didn’t fall in our favor tonight.”

The Coyotes were led by a career night from freshman Jacob Lunz. Lunz posted his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds after an incredible effort in the second half where he scored 11 points and snagged seven rebounds.

Michael Johnson scored the first points of the game for the Coyotes with 18:36 to go giving Wesleyan the first lead of the night. After Central had pushed its own lead to five on a bucket by Aaron Miller, the Coyotes scored the next six point to take a 10-9 lead with 14:18 to go in the first half on a score by Brock Borovetz.

Central pushed its lead back out to six points before the Coyotes again got within two on Dominique Johnson‘s bucket with 8:09 to go that made it 21-19. An 8-0 run from the Tigers would push their lead to double digits for the first time at 29-19, but the Coyotes would stay close and would trail 46-37 at the break.

A 9-0 run to open the second half saw Wesleyan draw back even with the Tigers at 46-all with 17:33 to go in the game. Wesleyan would be within a point when Central would go on a 9-0 run capped by Nathan Fort’s bucket with 11:15 left to put the Tigers up 57-47. A bucket by Lunz broke the run, but Central pushed its lead out to 63-50 with 8:58 left.

Undaunted, the Coyotes would get back within eight with 5:32 left in the game, but could get no closer as Central again pushed its lead out to 14 points, 77-63, with 4:02 left. The Coyotes were within 12, but got no closer as Central would score the last five points of the game to come away with the 82-65 win.

Lunz shared top scoring honors for the Coyotes with Michael Johnson as both players scored 15 for the Coyotes who shot 25-of-63 from the field for 39.7 percent, but were just 4-of-21 from long range for 19 percent and 11-of-20 at the line for 55 percent. The Coyotes also won the rebounding battle 46-37 led by Lunz’ 11 boards.

Daniel Nwosuh had 19 points to lead Central Christian.

The Coyotes are off until next Thursday’s KCAC opener on the road at Tabor College at 8 p.m. in Hillsboro.